UEFA PREPARES CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST FIFA PRESIDENT GIANNI INFANTINO

The crisis surrounding FIFA President Gianni Infantino has escalated dramatically, with UEFA preparing a criminal complaint in Switzerland over allegations of possible financial mismanagement connected to the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project.

According to court documents filed in the United States, UEFA is seeking access to documents and testimony from FIFA-related entities and investment firm Thrive Capital as it gathers evidence for potential proceedings in Switzerland. UEFA's lawyers say the contemplated action could involve Infantino as well as other FIFA officials and advisers under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code.

At the center of the dispute is Infantino's abandoned proposal to place commercial rights connected to competitions including the men's and women's World Cups and Club World Cup into a new subsidiary. Under the proposed arrangement, investors led by Thrive Capital were expected to pay approximately $4.2 billion for a 20% stake, implying a valuation of roughly $20 billion.

UEFA's court filings challenge that valuation and allege that the process was not subjected to an open competitive auction or independent valuation. The proposal was ultimately abandoned on August 1 following intense opposition from football authorities.

This represents a significant escalation in the growing confrontation between UEFA and FIFA. What began as a dispute over governance and the commercialization of FIFA assets has now moved toward potential criminal proceedings against the sitting FIFA president.

Infantino has not been criminally charged or convicted. UEFA is preparing a complaint and seeking evidence; the allegations remain allegations unless and until they are established through the legal process